Flames24Rulz wrote:Here's my biggest issue with McCarthy. I was one of his biggest detractors before the Super Bowl run -- since then, I've grown to actually like the guy and I truly do believe he's one of the better coaches in the league, especially when you watch some other teams bumble around out there every Sunday.
But ever since he's been the head coach of this team, he's had a philosophy that preaches balance. I remember back in 2006 and 2007, he said something to the effect that rushing yards aren't the big tell-all stat, but rushing attempts were. He didn't care about the 1-2 yard gains because he thought that would've opened up a big play for the passing game later on in the game. The problem with that is you're basically conceding drives early in the game and you're not letting your offense get much of a rhythm. I can think of several games, yesterday obviously included, where MM decides to stubbornly attempt to get the running game going. The problem is, he doesn't look at obvious mismatch disadvantages and the Lions secondary should've been picked apart all game long yesterday.
I hate the balance stat -- we didn't have much of a running game in 2007, 2010 and 2011, and guess what? It obviously didn't matter. When you can spread the field and get your main playmakers the ball, teams can't defend that. When your 3rd WR is just as good as many team's first CB (like in 2011), you should be able to pass the ball at will. I think our WR depth has obviously taken a hit in recent years, but especially this year. Still, Nelson and Cobb are playmakers. Get the ball in their hands. When the running game isn't going, don't waste away plays and downs by attempting to get the ground game going. You have the best, or second best, QB in the game. Let him make plays.
That's probably the most frustrating part about this. I feel that McCarthy doesn't realize how good Rodgers is and that hinders this team in games like yesterday.
I'm not going to downplay the importance of having a balanced offense, because it's incredibly important for sustained success and keeping the defense on their heels. But you did touch on something here in regards to McCarthy's willingness to trust his play-makers.
What I saw in yesterday's game was a microcosm of McCarthy's offensive philosophy. He's an old-school coach when it comes to scheme, meaning when something is working (run game last season), he wisely sticks with it. My problem is that, often times, Mike doesn't seem to tailor a game plan around matchups, which in this league is almost a must for any elite offense.
For example, the short toss/right side run play worked well for us last year but has become entirely predictable based on the formations we run it out of. So what does Mike do? Adapt the formation? No, he runs it again using different personnel (Starks instead of Lacy, extra TE instead of Kuhn) and again and again,etc. And can't seem to figure out why it still isn't working
If I were to tell McCarthy anything it would simply be "play to your strengths, and play to the opponents' weaknesses". 27 total pass attempts from Rodgers against the worst secondary in the league? Single back formation on nearly every single run play against a stout run D? Inexcusable.
